Officials are probing how a 51-year-old highway bridge came to collapse in the Italian port city of Genoa yesterday, killing at least 26 people and injuring 16 others as it sent dozens of vehicles tumbling into a heap of concrete and twisted steel.

Man charged with Patrick Cronin's murder to fight charges

Teenager Patrick Cronin, who died from a brain injury, suffered blows during a football game before being punched outside Melbourne pub, a court has been told.

Andrew William Lee is accused of fatally striking Mr Cronin during the wild brawl outside a Diamond Creek pub in April.

Prosecutors say Mr Cronin, 19, was acting as a mediator when he was punched by Mr Lee.

Mr Lee's lawyers say the 33-year-old, who is charged with one count of murder, was also trying to protect friends during the melee.

Mr Cronin was holding back one of his friends, who was fighting with some of Mr Lee's associates, when Mr Lee stepped in to defend his mates, barrister Mark Gumleton told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.

Patrick Cronin died from a severe head injury in April. (Supplied) ()

He also said video footage showed Mr Cronin being hit during a football game earlier that day.

The Eltham teenager walked home after the pub brawl, but was taken to hospital soon after and later died from a brain injury.